Pedestrian Accidents

Thousands of pedestrians each year are injured or killed by drivers who disregard the rules of the road, fail to stop at crosswalks or refuse to yield. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 70,000 pedestrians are injured each year and more than 4,000 are killed by cars.

Most of these car crashes occur in high traffic areas and at night, but no matter where a pedestrian is hit, s/he is in far more danger of being seriously injured than the driver involved in the crash, and our most vulnerable citizens–young children and the elderly–are the most of risk.

While pedestrians can take precautions by wearing reflective clothing, by crossing only at intersections and by sticking to the sidewalk while walking, some pedestrian accidents are unavoidable. If you were a pedestrian who was hit by a car, or your loved was killed by a reckless driver, you must pursue justice. As your pedestrian accident attorney, we are committed to defending you every step of the way.

After a pedestrian accident, law enforcement or insurance agents my conduct an investigation that finds you partially or fully responsible for the crash. Don’t attempt to fight these accusations without the help of a personal injury lawyer! All too often, a bias against walkers may be the driving force behind finding a pedestrian at fault for a crash.

In addition, the police and claims adjusters may disagree about who was responsible for the accident, leaving you as the injured pedestrian in a state of limbo. A competent pedestrian accident attorney will not only fight for your right to compensation but will also be prepared to thoroughly review any accident investigation that has labeled you at fault.

If your insurance company is attempting to get away with paying you less by claiming you were responsible for getting hit by a car, take your case to a pedestrian accident attorney who is experienced in disputing these findings.

DAMAGES YOU MAY BE OWED AFTER A PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT

Pedestrians who have been hit by cars, trucks or motorcycles will often have devastating injuries that put a huge financial burden on their families. Their condition can also easily get worse, and if they have accepted a settlement offer that doesn’t take into account the need for future medical treatment, they may find themselves having to pay for their own treatment and surgeries later on.

After a pedestrian accident, the insurance company will send claims adjusters to determine the extent of the damage and injuries. These representatives may seem to care about the victim’s health, but in reality they will attempt to offer a settlement before the costs have been fully assessed, in many cases.

The investigation will be over quickly and may not include important details, such as whether the victim had to miss work and wages while seeking treatment, or if there is a likelihood that health complications will arise in the future. When it comes to protecting the interests of pedestrians, a personal injury lawyer is the only solution.

Pedestrians who have been struck by motor vehicles may find that the driver’s liability insurance coverage has a maximum payout limit that isn’t enough to cover their costs. Assessing the real value of a pedestrian’s injuries could take much longer than the insurance company is willing to investigate.

With the help of a pedestrian accident attorney, victims will have access to more sources of potential compensation that just the insurance company, including the driver’s own personal assets. The only way to find out just how much a victim is owed after a pedestrian accident is with a qualified personal injury lawyer who can consult documents, interview witnesses and talk with healthcare providers about the true costs of the accident in the long term.

If you are pedestrian whose life has been changed because of injuries sustained in an accident, don’t try to deal with the insurance company on your own. Don’t give recorded statements or accept the first settlement that is offered to you.

Instead, consult with an attorney who has a track record of helping victims. Don’t wait too long before taking this important step, as your personal injury claim is subject to strict deadlines and limitations. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney will be able to evaluate your costs, find other sources for recovery when the insurance company doesn’t offer enough and provide a second opinion about any investigations that may have wrongfully found you fully or partially at fault.

TIME IS CRITICAL

Please contact us as soon as possible so our lawyers may begin to gather evidence for you. Our experience is that witnesses tend to move, memories cloud and conditions which may have caused your accident and injury are corrected.